Nancy Thomas has been an integral part of the American Hereford Association (AHA) team for close to 50 years. Of the current staff, she is considered the ‘veteran’ of the records department. Thomas’ commitment to the customer service team and Hereford breed has allowed her to build many lasting relationships with Hereford breeders over the years.

When did you first join the American Hereford Association team?

I started working at the Polled Hereford Association on April 1, 1968.

When you first started, what was the technology at the association like?

My original position was in data entry, they had another section of the association for record keeping at that time. We originally used a data key punch system to keep track of data. The record keeping office had a million files, all with little key punch cards that held all the animal’s information. We would have to pull all those cards to get a registration certificate together. You’d have to pull 15 cards because they had the background information on the animal’s lineage that had to go into the registration certificates. People used to type them individually before I came on board. One lady could do 15 in an hour, that was considered fast.

Do you have a favorite memory or event from your time at the AHA?

I really enjoy when breeders stop by the office during the American Royal. They always come to the office and want to meet us face-to-face. It’s great getting to know them and it feels good knowing they want to meet us. I remember one year, Lee Larson from Texas sent me a beautiful arrangement of flowers to the office because we had helped him a bunch that year. He also named a calf after me, and then it went on to win a show. There are other breeders who name their calves after us because we work so closely with them. It’s great building those types of relationships.

What have you enjoyed most about working with the breeders?

Just getting to know them and learning about the different operations across the country. Over the years they will say, are you still there? I’ll say, I’m still here!

We all know the technology has changed over the years, what do you think was the most revolutionary update?

When we first got computers to do data entry, they were called CathoRay Tubes and they were little tiny things. You had a small portion of the screen to enter the work. When we went to PC’s, that’s what made a big difference. Technology has changed a lot, but I’m sure glad it has. It’s a lot easier on us. On the old key punch machine, you have to take it to someone else to verify your numbers for quality control. If you had any errors, you’d have to start the registration process all over. It’s definitely changed for the better with computers and new software.

Did you grow up in the agricultural industry?

No, I was a city girl from Kansas City, Mo. I had to learn all this livestock stuff. A light went off one day when I had to learn what a breeder was compared to a buyer. I understand the industry so much more because of my time here. I saw a CHB logo on a truck going home the other night, and it felt like everything we do here was coming full circle.